Panic Device for Architects

“The PL100 panic handle functions by depressing the interior handle, which operates on a swivel. The door handle activates a spring action and as the handle is pressed it retracts a latch bolt at the top of the handle, releasing the latch at the door header. During the day the latch hardware can be dogged down to keep the door from latching so that the panic device becomes simply a push/pull handle. Persons entering the building from the exterior simply pull on the exterior door pull handle and persons exiting the building simply push the interior “handle”. When the building needs to be secured, the dogging device hardware can be released and the interior handle now functions as a panic device. If the building needs to be secured constantly, the latch bolt can remain active at all times.”

The exterior handle is also a 1-1/4 diameter tube and is available in many configurations. The most common configurations are a simple horizontal pull handle located at the standard 42″ height or an exterior pull handles that mirrors the “L” shape of the interior panic handle device. The other popular option is to use a full-length straight handle that is attached to the top of the door and runs to the bottom of the door. Or it can be made to stop 10″ above the bottom to comply with ADA codes. The panic device can be designed to run down the door and latch at the floor but this design is not as common. This design is the PL110 Panic Device. Because this design does not comply with ADA codes it is less commonly specified. PRL is always open to custom applications so exterior pull handle options, hardware lengths or configurations can be custom designed. Please contact our Door Design Department @ 877-775-2586 for more information.